Vancouver General Discussion Thread

[SpongeG]

Can British Columbia Build Housing Better than its Cities?
• Video Link

[whatnext]

Oh dear, do I hear some forumers heads exploding? "But Douglas Todd...."

B.C.'s push against parking comes with unintended consequences (Part 2)
Douglas Todd: Five things to know about the hidden costs of B.C.'s new parking policy - including their impact on everything from selling condos to people on lower incomes
Author of the article: Douglas Todd
Published Oct 18, 2025

It’s a sign of the times during this slowdown in Canada’s housing market: Realtors are having extreme difficulty selling condos that don’t automatically come with a parking spot.

It’s one of the unintended consequences of governments’ sharp new shift to allow property developers to side-step what once was common — providing new homeowners with off-street parking....

....Politicians in B.C. and elsewhere are going along with Schoup’s ideas, in part to reduce carbon emissions by making parking so expensive that people will be forced to find an alternative to driving — either transit, walking, cycling, or even staying home.

But the shift away from cars is not happening. A September report by the City of New Westminster found ownership rates have not declined across Metro Vancouver for eight years. Almost one of two Metro residents continues to own a vehicle.

As a result, this well-intentioned movement to reduce car ownership and parking, which makes sense at many levels, is leading to unintended consequences, almost all to do with money....

...1. Metro Vancouver real estate agents, such as David Hutchinson and Oleg Galyuk, say it is now hard to get prospective homeowners to buy a condo that doesn’t come with a parking stall....

https://vancouversun.com/opinion/col...quences-part-2

[seamusmcduff]

Hmmm I don't know Doug, its almost like the potential effects on the sale price are something that developers and owners are fully capable of assessing for themselves if they think it's worth it, just like future buyers are able to decide that they aren't willing to pay as much for them.

Not sure how this is seen as a good argument. Units with fewer stalls are cheaper to build, but don't meet the needs of everyone, so will sell for less. Isn't this a good thing for housing affordability?

"Almost one of two Metro residents continues to own a vehicle."
Sounds to me like there's plenty of residents who don't need a parking stall then.

[Migrant_Coconut]

It's... literally the point of removing mandatory parking? Let supply and demand figure out how many spaces we really need in the metro.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by whatnext

But the shift away from cars is not happening. A September report by the City of New Westminster found ownership rates have not declined across Metro Vancouver for eight years. Almost one of two Metro residents continues to own a vehicle.

Care to provide us with said report Dougie?

Kind of weird to argue parking spots are required while also admitting only 50% of people own a car. Glass half full or half empty?

If you own a car, you can live in a spot with a parking stall and use it, or live in one without and find other means. The market will provide it.

Paying extra for a stall and not using it is silly.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

It's... literally the point of removing mandatory parking? Let supply and demand figure out how many spaces we really need in the metro.

A little too late to say we've "found out" if neighbourhood streets are choked with cars already.

[GenWhy?]

"B.C.'s push against parking comes with unintended consequences "

My work computer is locking the Archive website, but Does Doug mean "BC" are various levels of government or does "BC" here mean real estate developers and marketers?

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by whatnext

A little too late to say we've "found out" if neighbourhood streets are choked with cars already.

Again, roll out permits (something the inner suburbs lack for the most part) and see how many people actually need to park there. The West End and Broadway Corridor somehow manage just fine despite having over twice as many residents as most of the city.

Douglas Todd has also screamed foul over both the UBC SkyTrain and towers in the city centres, so I guess he just doesn't want anything anywhere.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

"B.C.'s push against parking comes with unintended consequences "

My work computer is locking the Archive website, but Does Doug mean "BC" are various levels of government or does "BC" here mean real estate developers and marketers?

It looks like a reference to the BC legislation that says municipalities can't require parking in the TOA areas? "The TOA legislation prohibits local governments from establishing requirements for off-street residential parking spaces in TOAs, other than for use by persons with disabilities, but it does not preclude a property developer from including parking in the building." Which isn't really a 'push against parking', but more a 'push against parking requirements'.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Changing City

It looks like a reference to the BC legislation that says municipalities can't require parking in the TOA areas? "The TOA legislation prohibits local governments from establishing requirements for off-street residential parking spaces in TOAs, other than for use by persons with disabilities, but it does not preclude a property developer from including parking in the building." Which isn't really a 'push against parking', but more a 'push against parking requirements'.

Ah thanks!
I didn't want to assume, but I guessed correctly. Surprised the title was allowed in that case, as it sounds like some developers are against providing parking.

My Clients still have a minimum 1 per unit except for a few studios, but it's mostly 1-1 ratio.

[kikin]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Paying extra for a stall and not using it is silly.

there is also future resale value though, we bought a condo that includes a parking stall even though we have no vehicle. In the meantime we are renting it out for $200 per month and when we decide to sell our condo will be easier to sell and will fetch around $50k more resale price

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by kikin

there is also future resale value though, we bought a condo that includes a parking stall even though we have no vehicle. In the meantime we are renting it out for $200 per month and when we decide to sell our condo will be easier to sell and will fetch around $50k more resale price

Exactly.
A parking stall is an asset.
The main reason for exclusion is affordability.
If you are aiming for mid-market or higher, I think it will add value to the condo - especially now if more units do not have them.

Anyone remember when street parking became an issue in the West End because older 60s buildings did not have much parking? That's why the first permit parking for street parking was introduced. That's for an area close to the CBD with buildings much shorter than current proposals.

But the market will decide. If a buyer or renter needs a parking space, they won't rent a unit without one. Developers, if given the choice, will follow market demand.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by whatnext

A little too late to say we've "found out" if neighbourhood streets are choked with cars already.

Why do you hate the free market?

Maybe neighbourhood streets should be for going places, not parking.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by kikin

there is also future resale value though, we bought a condo that includes a parking stall even though we have no vehicle. In the meantime we are renting it out for $200 per month and when we decide to sell our condo will be easier to sell and will fetch around $50k more resale price

Maybe, maybe not. In the meantime you're making a 4.8% return (before the taxes you declare I'm sure.)

It's fine, but it's also fine to save that $50k today.

I rent parking and storage lockers. Storage lockers return much higher returns IME. Buy extras in your building if you can.

On parking, I find a lot of demand in a new condo in a dense area as people move from other areas with parking. Over time this wanes as the new area is much more walkable and transit friendly. People adapt and new renters often come without vehicles.

[seamusmcduff]

I always assumed this one on commercial drive would be value engineered, but this is another level

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/800-commercial-dr-2

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Why do you hate the free market?

Maybe neighbourhood streets should be for going places, not parking.

Isn't that what I said? However clueless planners are making sure they will be choked with cars by allowing units to be built with no provision for parking.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Isn't that what I said? However clueless planners are making sure they will be choked with cars by allowing units to be built with no provision for parking.

No, it's not what you said. Your complaints are endless and, for the most part, pointless.

It's well known that before the increase in West End permit parking there were numerous parking lots sitting empty because the on street pricing was too low.

A market based approach is the most efficient. Permit parking should be priced accordingly and any parking "requirements" should be up to individual land owners.

[kikin]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Maybe, maybe not. In the meantime you're making a 4.8% return (before the taxes you declare I'm sure.)

.

I am declaring the income, but also declaring expenses based on that parking stall being a part of the property and added value to the purchase price in calculating mortgage and property taxes. Of course you can't declare your personal residence expenses but the parking lot in generating revenue can also claim expenses.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

No, it's not what you said. Your complaints are endless and, for the most part, pointless.

It's well known that before the increase in West End permit parking there were numerous parking lots sitting empty because the on street pricing was too low.

A market based approach is the most efficient. Permit parking should be priced accordingly and any parking "requirements" should be up to individual land owners.

Having lived west of Denman I clearly recall the endless circling of the blocks to find a parking spot because like mine, many of the small lots in older buildings were already full.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by seamusmcduff

I always assumed this one on commercial drive would be value engineered, but this is another level

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/800-commercial-dr-2

Well, I could see the exterior breezeways causing leakage or potentially structural problems in the future, so I'm not surprised that's gone.

PS - this is the General Vancouver Discussion Thread, not the General Vancouver Updates thread.